Parkinson's and Depression

I was impressed by your article, “Parkinson's and the Black Dog,” in your July/August 2007 issue.

In my day-to-day work with many individuals from the PD community, it is apparent that depression often goes underdiagnosed and undertreated. Though the statistics point out that 30 to 40 percent of those diagnosed with PD exhibit a degree of clinical depression, I find it much more prevalent in the community we work with.

Patients experiencing depression often become reclusive and separate themselves from the services that may be available in their community. Constantly feeling fatigued makes it even more difficult to instigate those activities that benefit the patient—exercise, socialization, and other self-care strategies.

Thank you for bringing more attention to a prominent and debilitating non-motor symptom of PD.